David Simas grew up in a Portuguese immigrant family in Massachusetts. His mother, who lost two fingers in a factory accident, instilled in him the power of resilience and the importance of community. These lessons shaped his career, from practicing law to advising President Obama on key national issues and eventually leading the Obama Foundation, where he worked with global leaders to promote democracy and address critical global challenges. In this episode, David joins Ilana to share valuable insights on navigating political crises, leading with empathy, and maintaining personal balance during high-stress moments in public service. 

David Simas is a lawyer, political strategist, and former CEO and president of the Obama Foundation. He served as White House Director of Political Strategy and Outreach during the Obama administration and has held key roles in state and federal government.

In this episode, Ilana and David will discuss:

(00:00) Introduction 

(01:53) Growing Up in a Portuguese Immigrant Family

(05:10) Family Struggles and Community Support

(09:03) How Legal Training Shaped His Perspective

(16:57) Transitioning from Law to Politics

(19:44) The Call That Led Him to the White House

(23:19) Why Obama’s Team Chose David

(27:30) Giving the People a Voice in the Oval Office

(32:11) How Great Leaders Handle Crisis

(36:38) Balancing Humility and Authority in Leadership

(40:28) Navigating Political Pressure and Public Scrutiny

(51:12) The Power of Personal Responsibility

David Simas is a lawyer, political strategist, and former CEO and president of the Obama Foundation. He served as White House Director of Political Strategy and Outreach during the Obama administration and has held key roles in state and federal government, advising on political engagement and policy strategy. He is currently the Managing Director of Research and Impact at Emerson Collective, where he focuses on democracy, immigration, education, and climate initiatives.

Connect with David:

David’s LinkedIn: linkedin.com/in/david-simas/ 

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